Pandemic Sparks Sweet Pop-up Music Series; Families Swing, Sway To Beat Of Groove Machine
by Glen Richardson
Music drifts on the breeze through the Valley’s quiet Cory-Merrill neighborhood on a Friday night. A group of musicians perform under a clutch of trees in front of a home as people flock to listen. They hear the unmistakable low-pitched sounds of a bass guitar, its tones forming the rhythm. Often dubbed as “feeling the beat,” the instrument’s sounds seem to vibrate through the encircled crowd.
Standing or sitting on lawn chairs at homes adjacent and across the street, families are enjoying the music coming from a quartet of musicians known as the Groove Machine. Some break out in song while others dance in the street. The music seems to soothe, inspire and reassure the crowd.
People are rocking to the guitar tones coming from neighborhood bassist Frank Baier. No novice, he has performed with the Bee Gee’s, Jackie Wilson, the Coasters and Brook Benton among others. Belting out ballads and familiar ditties for the growing crowd is singer-entertainer Odell Stroud. The troubadour with an infectious smile and soothing presence wows residents with his singing style and versatile range. A few recognize him as Officer O’Dell in episodes of Rocky’s Auto commercials that have been a part of the Colorado media landscape for more than two decades. The gathered neighborhood audience expresses its gratitude with storms of applause during and following 90 minutes of music.
Sparking Spirits
With social events, wedding and music concerts shut down by the pandemic, Baier worries about the emotional toll it is taking on musicians. He has a Deano Quartet, the FTM Jazz Trio plus a Tony Bennett Tribute Group in addition to the party-dance band Groove Machine. Between not gigging or being able to practice he was becoming jittery and edgy. That’s when his wife Christine suggested the idea of a neighborhood pop-up music series. Christine and Frank are both on the Cory-Merrill Neighborhood Association board of directors.
Initially Frank wasn’t keen on the idea but the more he considered the notion the more sense it made. In a time when things are uncertain he was certain it would be a good way to ease the anxiety for both himself and his fellow artists. Musicians, after all, thrive on live performances. Moreover, they had plenty of time on their hands. Plus the music series would bring the neighborhood together while offering a rewarding, enjoyable way to practice and get creative.
In City Council District 6, the Cory-Merrill community is tucked between University and Colorado Boulevard south of Bonnie Brae and east of Wash Park. Neighborhoods are historically and architecturally defined by bungalows and classic ranches. Newer homes are larger, often accented with Victorian tiling and mission-style stucco.
Talented Performers
On the musical keyboard for the Groove Machine is pianist and Denverite Tim Greenhouse. He has participated in Switzerland’s prestigious annual Montreaux Jazz Festival plus played with stars such as Bob Hope. Locally he has appeared with Hazel Miller, Lannie Garrett and the Arapahoe Philharmonic.
Influenced by the Bootsy’s Rubber Band and the Dizzy Gillespie Sextet, Groove Machine’s drummer is Doug Bainbridge who toured for several years around the Pacific Rim. He worked another half-dozen years as a drummer-percussionist on television in South Korea before returning to the U.S.
Valley’s musicians have always actively supported each other, whether they benefit or not. Odell Stroud, for example, is the lead singer with the five- to10-piece party band Montage but he and Baier have often collaborated over the years. Thus when asked by Frank, he didn’t hesitate to join the pop-up music series. When drummer Bainbridge couldn’t make a recent neighborhood series, Montage’s drummer Skip Lynch — aka Skippy Dee — jumped in to hold the pocket down for the group. He has gigged with flautist Bobbie Howard — who gave him the stage name Skippy Dee — as well as The Platters, Miki Howard, Surface, and many others.
Pandemic’s Impact
The detrimental effects of the pandemic on the music industry here and around the globe are loud and clear. The Valley is home to some of the best music and concert venues in Colorado. While the local market lags behind entertainment cities like New York and LA, Denver has one of the largest per-capita ticket markets on earth. But based on current guidelines a venue the size of the Levitt Pavilion — which has a 7,500 capacity — can only admit 175 people for a concert.
Most of this summer’s outdoor music concert series have been canceled. They include the Shady Grove Picnic Series at Four Mile Historic Park plus the summer concert series at the Denver Botanic Gardens, both produced by Swallow Hill Music. Mid-level indoor venues such as the Ogden Theatre and Fillmore Auditorium depend on major promoters AEG Presents and Live Nation, respectively. At the Ogden, seven Aug.-Sept. live performances have been cancelled, while at the Fillmore a dozen have been postponed or cancelled.
The Colorado Symphony still hasn’t confirmed a date or when they will resume full-capacity and live concerts. Already more than a dozen autumn Symphony concerts have been canceled through November. Among them are the Cleo Robinson 50th Anniversary Celebration and the Halloween Spooktacular in November. Additional coronavirus casualties include the Vienna Boys Choir Concert and the Ten Tenors Home for the Holidays concert.
Music Magic
In these pandemic times music lifts the spirits and is doing so in the Cory-Merrill neighborhood. As one attendee put it, “As a community we are appreciative and better off. Their music is exceptional and they are helping to hold up Colorado’s music scene, inspire others and create opportunities.”
The musicians say doing the Friday night gigs has raised their mood while improving their music and dispositions. For his part, Frank admits “I didn’t realize how much I missed collaborating with the other musicians and playing for people.”
The sunset serenades are free but contributions to a fund kitty are welcome. The bi-weekly Friday night concerts — Thursdays when forecasters predict blustery weather — are from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Information: frankdbaier@gmail.com.